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Para educator vs infant and toddler teacher

The differences between para educators and infant and toddler teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a para educator has an average salary of $31,394, which is higher than the $29,606 average annual salary of an infant and toddler teacher.

The top three skills for a para educator include behavioral issues, student performance and IEP. The most important skills for an infant and toddler teacher are CPR, child care, and child development.

Para educator vs infant and toddler teacher overview

Para EducatorInfant And Toddler Teacher
Yearly salary$31,394$29,606
Hourly rate$15.09$14.23
Growth rate4%15%
Number of jobs56,89763,094
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4440
Years of experience-2

What does a para educator do?

Paraeducators' primary role is to provide students with extra guidance and support outside or inside the classroom. They are also called paraprofessional educators or teaching assistants who are expected to support teachers. In small group activities, they take the lead permitting teachers to help their students in many ways. The necessary skills required include organization, intellectual curiosity, and being calm. They should also be creative, a team player, and knowledgeable. A bachelor's degree in education is also a necessity for this job.

What does an infant and toddler teacher do?

An infant and toddler teacher is an individual who aids in the cognitive and social development of preschool children by teaching them the most basic skills that focus on play-centered learning and creativity. Infant and toddler teachers must help children develop positive self-images and encourage them to explore their interests and develop social skills. They must plan and carry out a curriculum that teaches children basic skills such as color, shape, and letter recognition. Infant and toddler teachers must also meet the children's parents to discuss concerns.

Para educator vs infant and toddler teacher salary

Para educators and infant and toddler teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Para EducatorInfant And Toddler Teacher
Average salary$31,394$29,606
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityBelmont, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsVermont
Best paying companyCentral Valley School DistrictUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationFinance

Differences between para educator and infant and toddler teacher education

There are a few differences between a para educator and an infant and toddler teacher in terms of educational background:

Para EducatorInfant And Toddler Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorPsychologyEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversitySan Diego State University

Para educator vs infant and toddler teacher demographics

Here are the differences between para educators' and infant and toddler teachers' demographics:

Para EducatorInfant And Toddler Teacher
Average age4440
Gender ratioMale, 20.4% Female, 79.6%Male, 4.7% Female, 95.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between para educator and infant and toddler teacher duties and responsibilities

Para educator example responsibilities.

  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Work daily with a small group of 4th grade students in language arts in the morning and mathematics in the afternoon.
  • Plan and implement lesson and in a k-5 school.
  • Assist teacher in every aspect of curriculum, CPR certify.
  • Certify in CPR, first aide, used when necessary.
  • Certify through CPI to be able to physically restrain when necessary.
  • Show more

Infant and toddler teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead team meetings with therapists and clinicians pertaining to quarterlies, annual reports, IEP goals, and parent teacher conferences.
  • Plan and develop curriculum, manage mathematics department.
  • Receive current CPR training as well.
  • Develop and implement individual student's IEP in conjunction with a mental health worker, classroom aide, and clinical team.
  • Complete ongoing documentation for NAEYC accreditation.
  • Develop and publish developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants/toddlers, in accordance with NAEYC guidelines.
  • Show more

Para educator vs infant and toddler teacher skills

Common para educator skills
  • Behavioral Issues, 10%
  • Student Performance, 8%
  • IEP, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Kindergarten, 7%
  • School Administration, 6%
Common infant and toddler teacher skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Child Care, 20%
  • Child Development, 14%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 6%
  • Classroom Management, 4%

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